Walking in the Footsteps of the British Expeditionary Force 2008 to 2009

Discussion in 'WW2 Battlefields Today' started by Drew5233, Dec 28, 2008.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The East Lanc's perimeter looking West towards Hoymille and the Foresters location.

    The area seen in these pictures was first to receive attention from the Germans around 5am and whilst bravely defended by the Foresters and a Comapny of Royal Warwicks they were slowly pushed back and the Germans started to establish themselves on the North bank by swiming across the canal.
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    The 2/5 Leicesters acting as tactical reserves were pushed into the line to counter-attack the Germans on the North and those attempting to cross from the South bank but only numbering 70 all ranks, the Loyals were ordered to evacuate Bergues and join in the counter-attack to bolster the numbers. Unfortunately many Loyals became casualties as they left the relative safety of the town and as they surcome to the German artillery.

    A zoomed in shot.
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    The Loyals first counter-attack failed but despite fighting in knee deep water and mud (due to the fields being flooded) they pressed on and a second attempt suceeded with the help of some light tanks from the Inniskillings. Not all the Germans were pushed back over the canal but they were contained for now.
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Some of the following pictures were taken on a previous trip.

    This shot was taken looking East towards Pont a Moutons from the D4 road. I wonder if the barn was near where Ervine-Andrews fought. His citation is below.
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    For most conspicuous gallantry on active service on the night of the 31st May/1st June 1940. Captain Ervine-Andrews took over about a thousand yards of the defences in front of Dunkirk, his line extending along the Canal de Bergues, and the enemy attacked at dawn. For over ten hours, notwithstanding intense artillery, mortar, and machine-gun fire, and in the face of vastly superior enemy forces, Captain Ervine-Andrews and his company held their position.

    Looking South from the field above towards Le Benkies Mille. The D4 is to the right and the canal is about 20 meters to my front.
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    The enemy, however, succeeded in crossing the canal on both flanks; and, owing to superior enemy forces, a company of Captain Ervine-Andrews' own battalion, which was despatched to protect his flanks; was, unable to gain contact with him. There being danger of one of his platoons being driven in, he called for volunteers to fill the gap, and then, going forward, climbed on to the top of a straw-roofed barn, from which he engaged the enemy with rifle and light automatic fire, though, at the time, the enemy were sending mortar-bombs and armour-piercing bullets through the roof.


    Looking West from the D3 towards the junction with the D4 and the Canal Bridge Major Ervine-Andrews and his men were defending. The barn was to the right of this shot.
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    Captain Ervine-Andrews personally accounted for seventeen of the enemy with his rifle, and for many more with a Bren gun. Later, when the house which he held had been shattered by enemy fire and set alight, and all his ammunition had been expended, he sent back his wounded in the remaining carrier. Captain Ervine-Andrews then collected the remaining eight men of his company from this forward position, and when almost completely surrounded, led them back to the cover afforded by the company in the rear, swimming or wading up to the chin in water for over a mile; having brought all that remained of 'his company safely back, he once again took up position.


    Looking North from South of the Canal on the D3 Road towards the barns most likely location.
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    Throughout this action, Captain Ervine-Andrews displayed courage, tenacity, and devotion to duty, worthy of the highest traditions of the British Army, and his magnificent example imbued his own troops with the dauntless fighting spirit which he himself displayed.


    This final shot taken from the bridge in the area looks towards where the 5th Borders were forced to retreat and the 2nd Coldstream Guards were to 'Defend at all costs'

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  3. Sgt Bilko

    Sgt Bilko Member

    Looks like you had another good trip pal...
     
  4. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Great pics - more please!
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Many thanks. Normal service will resume when Imageshack decides to work !
     
  6. urqh

    urqh Senior Member

    Great thread ..this is the sort of thing that makes this site such a joy to visit...even if I am one of the more light hearted members...I appreciate the time and effort folk go to on here Bloody well done Drew.
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I do like the way Andy has got biten by that 1940 bug.
    Good stuff mate, you're hooked big time.
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Due to the stiff defence put up by the East Lancs the Germans attempted to out flank them and focused their attentions on the 5th Borders positions with the Borders weakened positions and mounting casualties this eventually led to the the right flank of the 2nd Coldstream Guards being exposed.

    Looking West towards the 5 Borders line from the 'Small Bridge' defended by No.1 Company, 2 Coldstream Guards. This is the area the Germans exploited.
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    The Guards had been in the canal line since the 29th May and any hope of returning home via Dunkirk was dashed when the Guards Brigade Commander, Brigadier Beckwith-Smith announced, 'Marvellous news. The best ever. It is splendid, absolutely splendid. We have been given the supreme honour of being the rear-guard at Dunkirk'. You can just imagine the level of enthusiasm dropping as Beckwith-Smith's news filtered down the ranks.

    Taken stood on the 'Little Bridge' looking East towards the 'Large Bridge'. The metal road on the left marks the defence line manned by 2 Coldstream Guards that runs for around 2.2km to the 'Large Bridge'. The white building on the left is roughly where 1 Company's AOR ended and 3 Company's AOR started.
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    On the evening of the 29th the Battalion had a strength of around 200 men all ranks. 1 Company on the right responsible for the smaller of the two bridges in battalions AOR.

    This is 1 Company's AOR with the second picture looking towards 3 Company's AOR. Note the ditch on the left in both pictures which is probably where 2nd Lt. Speed was last seen alive upto his waist in water by Lt. Langley. (Read on for details)
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    Two shots taken from the 'Large Bridge' the first looking West towards the 'Small Bridge' some 2 Km's away and the second facing East towards the Duke of Wellingtons AOR.
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    3 Company was in the centre with 2 and 4 Companies covering the main bridge on the left flank with the Dukes being the next battalion in the line of defence. Battalion HQ was set up in a windmill to the rear South of Uxem and near Krommelhoek.

    The Battalion HQ location still standing today, North of the canal and South of Uxem.
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    Lieutenant Langley and 3 Company were positioned in and around a cottage on the canal where two Bren gun nests were made in the roof of the cottage.

    I think it's worth quoting Langley at this point on one of his recollections before the Germans attacked. 'A Corporal in the East Kents (Buffs), particularly excited my admiration. Barely five feet tall, wearing socks, boots and trousers held up by string, he had a Bren gun slung on each soldier with a rifle strung across their barrels. The slings of the Bren guns had cut deep into his shoulders, his back and chest were caked with blood and I could see part of both of his collarbones. I offered him a mug of tea and ordered him to drop the Bren guns as I would needing them. He looked me up and down. "I would rather take them with me, Sir." I told him to obey orders but he still made no effort to comply. Instead, in a tired and utterly unemotional voice, gazing over my shoulder, he spoke his mind. "My major's dead somewhere back there. His last words were 'Get those guns back to England, they will be needing them soon.'" He looked me straight into the eyes, "And begging your pardon, Sir, I am going to." I put a generous measure of whisky in his tea, a first-aid dressing between the slings and his shoulders and wished him the best of luck'. With NCO's like that leading men in the British Army it's hard to believe that folk could have ever doubted that the Allies would be victorious.

    A day or two before the Germans attacked Langley noted in his diary that his Company consisted of just 37 men and was equipped with 12 Bren guns, 3 Lewis guns and 1 Boyes anti-tank rifle. 30,000 rounds of small arms ammunition and 22 Mills hand grenades. I think it would be fair to assume the rest of the battalion was in a similar condition.

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    Lieutenant Jimmy Langley

    On Sunday 1st June Langley observed around a 100 Germans at 600 yards advancing towards his position as the morning mist cleared. They were quickly dealt with by way of the Companies Bren guns and shortly after to his amazement he saw Germans herding civilians towards the dead and wounded Germans thinking the Guards would not shoot at civilians. The Germans had obviously not accounted for the Guards excellent marksmanship skills with the .303 and these Germans were also swiftly dealt with.

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    The area at first light to give you a feel of what Langley and his men saw as the Germans started their advance on their positions as the morning mist cleared.
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    At midday the Germans started shelling the Guards positions and the infantry concentrated their attack on the right flank where the Borders were defending. No.1 Company under Captain Evan Gibbs became hard pressed around the area of the small bridge that was blown up earlier. The 5 Borders informed the Guards that the Germans were massing for an attack and that they were going to withdraw. Major McCorquodale being fully aware of the importance of preventing the Germans breaching the line told the Borders commander that retreat was out of the question and ordered them to stay put and fight. The Captain commanding the Borders protested and was told by McCorquodale that he had ordered his men to shoot anyone seen retreating. A short time later the Captain was seen to be leaving the fight and a few well placed shots from McCorquodale's rifle persuaded him to return to his position.

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    Major Angus McCorquodale

    :poppy: http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2776905 :poppy:


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    Major Eric Wyatt
    :poppy: http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2825870 :poppy:

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    Picture Kindly Supplied by Dovermarine


    Sadly by the end of the day McCorquodale was to be killed along with Captain Robert Combe and Major Pop Wyatt commanding No.2 Company. McCorqudale had earlier that day announced that he did not mind dying for his country but he was dammed if he was going to die looking like a 'third rate chauffer' referring to the new standard British Army battledress. His body was found in a field by one of the buildings shown in this post, his uniform gleaming with polished brass and leather.

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    Captain Robert Combe
    :poppy: http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2771180 :poppy:


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    Captain Evan Gibbs
    :poppy: http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2501540 :poppy:

    As the fighting intensified on Gibb's Company. Gibb's noticed one of his Company Bren guns was unmanned and despite attempts to stop him he ran forward to retrieve the gun for fear of it falling into enemy hands. Gibb's was shot and a rather brave guardsman ran from cover and carried him back to safety. Despite the efforts of the soldier Gibb's died soon afterwards.

    This is looking towards the area where Gibbs was killed attempting to retrieve a Bren gun. I would guess it was near the house or the tree line on the right. Just to the left of the white house is the 'Small Bridge'.
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    No.1 Company then came under the command of Lt. Ronnie Speed who had just joined the Regiment. Langley remembers the last time he saw Speed alive: 'Ronnie was looking miserable, standing in a ditch up to his waist in water and shivering. I offered him Angus's (McCorquodale) flask and advised him to drink it which he did. "You are not to retire. Do you understand?" He nodded, but was killed half an hour later when the enemy attacked and drove what was left of No.1 Company back onto us.'

    :poppy: CWGC :: Certificate :poppy:

    Taken from the area where Speed was killed. Short of walking across the field I think the tree line/building was the location of No.1 Company HQ.
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    The battle in this sector continued and a number of Bren gun firing pins melted such was the intensity of the fighting on this line. Langley resorted to sniping from the cottage loft (Shades of Ervine-Andrews) he was occupying until he was wounded by a shell that exploded on the roof. Langley was carried from the building and taken away in a wheelbarrow. Fighting continued and casualties mounted but the Guards never allowed the front to be broken. With the Guards proud in the knowledge they had held their defences as ordered they withdrew from the line at 2200hrs under the cover of darkness.

    Langley Cottage and one of the surrounding buildings used by his Company, all showing little signs of fighting due to extensive renovations after the war.
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    A shot of the 2 Coldstream Guards extraction area where they headed towards Dunkirk via Uxem after completing their orders.
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  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Before I left the canal area where the Guards valiantly fought and held a numerically superior German force I thought it was rather fitting that the area was potted with poppies growing freely in a place where so many men gave everything to allow others to leave France so they might live to fight another day.
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    dbf likes this.
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Excellent thread Andy.


    From The Times, Jun 07, 1940

    DEATHS - ON ACTIVE SERVICE
    McCORQUODALE. - Killed in action in Flanders, ANGUS McCORQUODALE, Major, Coldstream Guards, very dearly loved husband of Pamela and youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold McCorquodale, Forest Hall, Ongar, Essex.


    From The Times, Jun 07, 1940

    FALLEN OFFICERS
    Major Angus McCorquodale, Coldstream Guards, born in 1905, was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold McCorquodale, of Forest Hall, Ongar, Essex. He was gazetted to the Coldstream Guards in 1926 and was promoted captain in 1936. He leaves a widow.
     
  11. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From The Times, Jun 06, 1940
    FALLEN OFFICERS
    Major Eric Thomas Wyatt, Coldstream Guards, was the son of the late Hugh Wyatt, of Cissbury, Worthing, and of Mrs. Wyatt, of Holmbush, Findon, Sussex. Born in June, 1904, he obtained his commission in 1924, and was promoted captain in 1934.
     
  12. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From The Times, Jun 22, 1940
    MISSING
    SPEED. - In June, 1940, reported wounded and missing near Dunkirk, RONALD D.E. SPEED, 2nd Lieut., Coldstream Guards, only son of Captain Douglas Speed, Glenlussa, Campbeltown, Argyll, aged 21.
     
  13. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From The Times, Jun 06, 1940
    Fallen Officers
    Lieutenant Evan Llewellyn Gibbs, Coldstream Guards, who fell while in command of his company, was the elder son of Major and Mrs. A. Hubert Gibbs, of Pytte, Clyst St. George, Devon.

    From The Times, Jun 07, 1940
    PERSONAL TRIBUTES
    May a friend at hone in England be allowed to write a word of appreciation of Evan Gibbs, Coldstream Guards? Here was a staunch friend, gallant soldier, and true Briton. So ready always to see the best in every one and everything, his charm lay in his straightforward, happy nature, his love of the simple things of live, and his sense of fun. That he has died the death of a hero will help to mitigate the tremendous loss to his family and friends. That his life has been cut off at an early age is England's loss, for such men as Evan are only found in England. We who knew and loved him are proud and thankful.

    From The Times, Jun 11, 1940
    Obituaries
    The news that Evan Gibbs, Coldstream Guards, has been killed in action leading his company carried with it to his friends the realization of their personal loss, writes a correspondent. No one had more friends than Evan. He was so gloriously genuine, straight-forward, and full of good humour that without any effort on his part he was always happy, whether with his Regiment or in his business.

    So much of his charm lay in his boyishness and the feeling of youth that he gave one, and it is good to know that he is now forever young. But apart from his family, and no one was more happy with his family than he was, his Regiment meant everything to him, and the war took him back to it. He married Monica, daughter of Sir Edmund and Lady Wyldbore Smith, and leaves three children, and to them and to Major and Mrs. Gibbs his friends would like to say how much they loved and admired him and how much they sympathize with them.
     
  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    When the 2nd Battalion CG was dug in on the canal line Brigadier Beckwith-Smith and his 1st Guards Brigade HQ established themselves at the only school in Uxem.

    The only school in Uxem now completely rebuilt after the town was nearly destroyed by artillery fire as the Germans advanced in this sector.
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    Looking down a side street from the main road -The school is on the left and the church to the right.
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    The Brigade Reserves, 2nd Hampshires HQ was established on the otherside of the road in the towns Church.

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    Uxem Church used by the Hampshires -Sadly rebuilt after the war after recieving atleast two direct hits from artillery.
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    The Brigades Diary of 29th May says:
    French and British Troops were moving through all day on their way to Dunkirk and Bray Dunes. Vehicles and even equipment and clothing etc. were dumped en route.

    At 11.30 hours 1st GB received Op Order No.11 when they found out they were forming part of the rear guard. It included 'Forward Defence Line North Bank of Canal held with support of one p/l A/T Coy. Reserve line stream Digue de Glaises, held by 2nd Hamps'.

    Uxem was one of the last rear guard positions held by the 1st Division and the guards stayed there for three days before withdrawing to the beaches.

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    Lt. Peter Halliday

    Lieutenant Peter Halliday of the 2nd Battalion, Hampshires 1st GB remembers the Luftwaffe whilst at Uxem:
    'We were not however bombed from the air. The reason for this was that the Luftwaffe were concentrating on Dunkirk and the beaches between there and La Panne. We could see and hear their efforts which seemed to be continuous. Many of the German bombers returned low over us which we regarded as good sport. We found lots of abandoned ammunition and let fly with everything we had. Cecil Thomas had actually found an abandoned Vickers MMG and 50,000 rounds of ammunition. By mounting it on a kitchen table, the carrier platoon found the could use it as a AA gun. On occasions planes came over so low I even fired my revolver at them. This was all very good for morale.'

    He goes on to mention Willie Wilson who saw what was left of a section from a Lancashire Regiment stumbling past him at Uxem. All the remained was a Corporal and a Private and the Private was heard to demonstrate, 'Corporal', said the Private, 'Ah'm fooked'. Apparently the corporal was close to giving up and threw his rifle to the ground and replied, 'Fooked be fooked', he cried, 'All the fookers is fooked'.

    Even the Hampshires Padre went forward to the fighting at the canal area where the CG were fighting against superior numbers. Halliday recalls coming across him returning from the canal line after trying to locate a A/T detachment. The gun had received a direct hit and the Number One gunner was sitting in his firing position with his head blown off. Lying beside him, mortally wounded was an extremely tall Coldstreamer. Apparently the only words the Padre could get out of him were, 'Oh fook, oh fook, oh fook.'


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    Cpl. Christie

    Corporal Christie with the carrier platoon, 2nd CG now at (I believe) Uxem was guarding the bridge just South of the town that crosses the Canal de Chat. Whilst he was there watching the numerous soldiers retreating he was surprised to see a detachment marching in perfect order. As they drew nearer he realised they were the Welsh Guards who had defended Arras so valiantly.

    The bridge defended by Cpl Christie and his Carrier that leads into Uxem. This shot is looking South towards the 'Canal Line'.
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    The Drummers piled their drums close to the bridge as they passed by and Cpl Christie set fire to them all so as not to allow the Germans to capture such a war trophy.

    Looking South West and the possible location of where the WG's Drums were destroyed at the side of the bridge.
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    Later Christie was sent forward to support a depleted platoon in a blockhouse near a crossroads. The blockhouse was around 15 strong and lacking automatic weapons so his bren gun would have been a most welcome addition. On arriving the PSM sent him forward towards the German lines which he did until his carrier was engaged by an AT gun. Christie decided it was a good time to retire back to and behind the blockhouse.

    A few shots of the 'Blockhouse' described by Cpl Christie.
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    After an extensive search via Google Earth and on the ground these are the only ones to be found and indeed are on a cross roads of sort.
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    They are situated on the South Bank of a canal with the entrance to the rear.
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    They all have just one gun slit which together provide and rather good inter-locking field of fire across the field to their front to deny the enemy this ground.
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    At 2200 hrs the Infantry Coys were ordered to withdraw but his orders were to stay until midnight. After waiting the what must have seemed the longest two hours of his life he drove his carrier into a field and placed a hand grenade into the engine and like so many in the BEF marched off to Dunkirk in search of salvation.


    From Uxem we returned to the 'Canal Line' and drove to Furnes to find out about another story from the Guards.
     
  15. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    On the way to Furnes we decided to look for a few 'Then and Nows' along the defensive perimeter.


    The first one was found, as many are, looking for another one. This one was taken at a junction with the D947 heading to Furnes.

    Then
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    Now
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    As stated in 'Blitkreig in the West' he is definately pointing his rifle in the wrong direction ! Shouts of 'He's behind you !' spring to mind.
     
  16. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    After driving along the D947 twice I came to the conclusion that ATB have got the wrong location on this one (Not for the first time). This is the closest I could find along this stretch of road is what I have posted and I thought worthwhile.

    Many accounts from soldiers speak of the mass of vehicles and equipment dumped in ditches by the road side. Most vehicles were immobilized at the canal perimeter to try and ease traffic problems on the approaches to Dunkirk with only essential vehicles allowed through like ambulances.

    Then
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    Now
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  17. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    After a time consuming search for those 'Then and Now’s' we pressed on to Belgium and a beautiful town called Furnes (now re named Veurne) where I let Andrea choose the accomodation !

    What was a big mistake became slightly diluted when I found out it was used by the senior German Officers in the area as their quarters during the occupation.

    Day shot of the front minus the swaztika flags and sentry boxes at the gate.
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    Night shot of the rear - Our room has the lights on.
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    After a rather nice lunch in the town square we set off to find out what happened here in mid 1940.

    Furnes/Veurne town centre looking at St. Walpurga Church
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    Furnes was another key stronghold as far as the BEF were concerned; if this town fell the Germans would be on the Eastern beaches of De Panne in a matter of hours.

    The town square in Furnes where many soldiers used cellars for cover for the heavy artillery barrage
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    This time the unenviable task of holding the line was given to 1st and 2nd Grenadier Guards. They were receiving news that the South Lancs and East Surreys were struggling to hold the perimeter around Neiuport and new it would only be a matter of time before they felt the full weight of the German advance like their sister regiment had on the 'Canal Perimeter'. They were already being subjected to sporadic shelling and as they arrived to take up positions in Furnes so were advanced elements of German units.

    Signalman George Jones of 1st Bn GG recalls taking up positions on one side of the canal and the Germans taking up theirs on the other side at the same time.

    German snipers took up positions around the canal to make movement in Furnes hazardous to say the least.

    The Grenadier Guards Eastern perimeter where the Germans took up postions on the right side of the canal.
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    Lieutenant Colonel Jack Lloyd, CO 2nd Bn GG had to recce the canal area with two of his Company Commanders to pace out what was their sector and help the CC's place their Coy's. As they approached the canal footpath they were advised by a Royal Engineers Sergeant not to go any further as the area was prone to sniper fire. The officer waited for an uneventful 5 minutes and decided to proceed. No sooner had they moved forward, three shots rang out in quick succession and all three officers fell to the ground.

    This spot is believed to be the location where the three officers were shot.
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    Acting on adrenaline 2nd Lieutenant Jack Jones dashed forward under heavy machine gun and rifle fire and carried the CO back to a nearby house, unknown to him he was already dead. No sooner than he laid him down he rushed back a further two times to get the two Company Commanders -Major Pakenham and Captain Jefferys. As the firing increased across the canal it became so intense that the units stretcher bearers found it impossible to reach the building. Jones was joined by several other officers and the men we eventually extracted through the back of the house.

    St. Walpurga's Church Close where the officers were first buried at the rear of the church.
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    Now what happens next is a bit grey.....It was believed that all 3 men died in Furnes and were initally buried in the back yard of St. Walpurga's Church and were later buried in the Furnes cemetery.

    Veurne Cemetery
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    However only two of the three officers can be found in the cemetery but there is several graves marked 'known unto God' so there is a possibility that Pakenham could lie in one of these graves.

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    :poppy: http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2775065 :poppy:
    Lieutenant Colonel J A Lloyd

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    :poppy: CWGC :: Certificate :poppy:
    Captain C J D Jeffreys

    Further research by other members on the forum have revealed he is remembered on the Brookwood Memorial and there seems to be some news to suggest he died of wounds and was buried in the UK.

    As the fighting around Furnes intensified most of the town was now a mass of rubble and the Guards were holding their positions in cellars, at the time what seemed the only safe place to be. However some still braved the artillery to move around from one location to another like the Guards Padre Rev Philip Wheeler who gave communion to the soldiers in their positions.

    Around 1300hrs on 31st May the defensive line was breached on the left flank. This was being held by a much depleted 'ad hoc' unit of Berkshires and Suffolk’s. The Coldstream reserves stabilized the situation but the Germans kept pressing home an attack in this area attempting to exploit the lines weakness. Eventually some 20 Germans managed to cross the canal and started sniping at the defenders. This was soon stopped by a rather brave Lance Corporal who led a section attack on the German position and killed them all at the cost of only one man slightly wounded.

    The area subjected to many attacks by the Germans on the Eastern Flank of the Grenadier Guards.
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    Morale had now reached a all time low as was evident as a distressed Sapper ran into 2 GG's HQ and told Major Richard Colvin now the GG's CO that the left flank was breached again and Germans were coming across unopposed.

    Now with a more modern swing bridge
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    2nd Lt Jones was sent to get a sit rep and found elements of the Berkshire, Suffolk’s and 246 Field Company, Royal Engineers were about to retreat. Jones attempted to rally the men but when they broke away again under more fire he shot some of the men and Jones's NCO's turned others around at the point of the bayonet. Jones then led the men in a counter-attack back which resulted in re-establishing the line and moral was greatly increased. Jones was awarded a Military Cross for his actions.

    This is believed to be where Lt. Jones led the counter attack that earned him a Military Cross.
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    Later that day in the afternoon the garrison received orders to withdraw to the beaches at 2200hrs. Due to the lack of fighting spirit at night by the Germans the Guards were able to successfully withdraw under the cover of darkness.
     
    nicks likes this.
  18. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Whilst in Veurne Cemetery I came across this grave that caused a welling of my eyes.

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    :poppy: CWGC :: Certificate :poppy:
    Guardsman B D Barber

    The moving messages on this grave showed that Grdsman Barber had been reunited with his beloved brother this year and his family had scattered his brothers ashes on his grave.

    I left the cemetery some what emotional from reading the messages.

    :poppy: May they both RIP :poppy:
     
    Owen likes this.
  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Another moving part of the trip was going to see Peter Carroll's grave in Oostduinkerke Cemetery. Peter was Andrea's Great Uncles best mate and it only seemed right we should pay him a visit and leave a cross.

    Unfortunately Andrea was rather upset thinking about this was near where her family fought and a young man still spoken highly of today by her grandmother was killed. She deleted the photo's of her placing the cross and all that is left is below.

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    Private P J J Carroll
    :poppy: CWGC :: Certificate :poppy:

    The message on the cross reads:

    From your best mates family, The O'Neils.

    Fought together but never survived together.
     
  20. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    This time taken on Nieuport Beach as we covered the Eastern Sector.

    Then
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    Now
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